The AEDS Board

The Research, Policy Advisory and Advocacy Committee is dedicated to ensuring that the organisation's research outputs are powered with academic rigour, factual and grounded with ethical values. Most importantly, the committee is duty bound to ensure that the organisation's research output and policy prescriptions are sound, practical and tailor made to address challenges affecting African economies. Specific terms of reference inter alia include:

• Define annual research agenda aligned with Africa's challenges.
• Ensure academic rigour, peer review, and publication of outputs.
• Ensure that advocacy strategies and evidence-based dialogues inform decisions in governments, private sector, regional economic communities, civil society and academia.
• Integrate capacity building through training programs and knowledge transfer.
• Produce saleable outputs (policy briefs, advisory frameworks, training modules) for Business Development to package.

The Finance, Audit and Risk Committee is dedicated to fostering financial integrity and effective risk management practices of the organisation. This committee ensures that the organisation has sound internal controls and systems required to identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with its activities and maintain accountability in financial reporting. Specific terms of reference inter alia include:

• Approve budgets and monitor expenditure.
• Oversee audits and compliance with statutory requirements.
• Manage risk frameworks (financial, operational, reputational).
• Ensure transparency in donor and partner funding.
• Recommend financial policies and internal controls.
• Safeguard sustainability of fundraising and commercialisation activities.

The main focus of the Business Development Committee is to ensure that the organisation is financially sustainable and has impact. Specific terms of reference inter alia include:

• Oversee the development and implementation of fundraising strategies (grants, consultancy, endowments, memberships).
• Cultivate relationships and strategic partnerships with donors, governments, private sector, and international agencies.
• Identify opportunities for commissioned research, advisory services, and joint ventures.
• Package research outputs into marketable offerings (consultancy packages, training workshops, commissioned studies).
• Monitor financial mobilisation performance and report to the Board.
• Ensure alignment of fundraising with AEDS's mission and values.